7 tips on how to transplant an orchid

The beauties imported from the tropics - orchids became the inhabitants of city apartments relatively recently. This fragile plant needs proper care, watering and maintenance.

Like all potted plants, an orchid sometimes has to be transplanted. How to transplant an orchid without harming it? Consider the whole process in stages.

1. We determine whether it is possible to transplant an orchid. Transplanting during flowering is highly undesirable, as the plant will experience stress. Transfer to another pot is necessary if the plant has stopped growing and for several years does not produce peduncles. Rotting of the roots and yellowing of the leaves is also a signal that the orchid needs to be removed from the pot and transplanted into a new substrate. If you just decided to change the pot, then the best time for this is the beginning of spring, that is, before the growing season.
2. If you have determined the time when you can transplant an orchid, you need to choose
   
   the "right" pot. An ideal option for orchids with a large number of aerial roots is a wicker basket or a transparent pot with drainage holes on the bottom and on the surface of the entire pot. Conventional ceramic or plastic pots are not suitable. Air circulation is difficult in them. In addition, in opaque pots it is difficult to determine the moisture content of the substrate.
3. The size of the pot should be such that there is enough space for the roots. Too spacious a pot of orchids do not need. For example, phalaenopsis in large containers will not begin to bloom until they fill all the free space with their roots. Therefore, orchids do not bloom in wide pots for a very long time.
4. For transplantation we buy a new substrate. Florists who are interested in how to transplant an orchid properly should know that there is a specially created substrate for orchids. It can be prepared by yourself from sphagnum, pine bark, charcoal, peat and drainage.
5. Carefully remove the orchid from the old pot, trying not to damage the roots, rinse them under running water. If there are old or rotten roots, cut them off, and sprinkle the place of cut with ash or cinnamon.
   
6. At the bottom of a new pot, pour a little dry prepared soil, lower the orchid, carefully straighten the lower roots. We gradually fill up the substrate, sometimes shaking the pot a little, so that large pieces of bark are distributed between the roots.
7. The main condition for how to transplant an orchid correctly is not to bury the upper air roots! Leave them on the surface. Although not very aesthetically pleasing, this will make your flower feel “at home”!

After the orchid has migrated from the old pot to the new one, you need to refrain from watering for 2-3 days. You can spray the leaves every day, and after 3 days, water the plant as usual. If all the points of the above instructions on how to transplant an orchid are met, then no transplant is required in the next 2 years.

The further life of the orchid will depend on the conditions of detention and the quality of care. It is worth noting that the grown "baby" is sedimented from the mother plant exactly as described above. The baby should have formed aerial roots (about 6-7cm long) and have at least 3 leaves. If the roots are not sufficiently developed, sphagnum is neatly tied to them and moistened by spraying. After transplanting, the plant needs time to adapt and root, so do not expect too fast flowering and active growth.